Dear Friend,

“Nothing pierces the soul like beauty or sorrow.” I can’t recall who authored that phrase, but it has stuck with me for years. And I thought of the sentiment as I became aware of the story of one of our program participants named Therese. 

Therese, a single mother, lost three of her four children and her home in the Rwanda flooding and landslide earlier this year. She was also badly injured and was in the hospital recovering for an extended  time. Despite her deep grief and physical pain, Therese never lost her faith.

Therese’s Savings Group was her strength and support throughout the ordeal. Her group members visited her in the hospital while she was recovering, and became the family that she needed. They also contributed from their mercy fund to help her. 

I am encouraged to share that Therese has now returned to her Savings Group, who surrounded her in love through this tragic time. 

She recently opened up a Savings Group meeting by sharing a scripture reading from Luke 18, about the judge and the persistent widow who kept knocking on the door asking for help. The judge eventually responded and helped. "How can God not hear us when we pray day and night?  We have a Lord who is capable, and has blessed us with the fruits of the Holy Spirit, so we are capable."

Therese reminds me that Five Talents’ Saving Groups are not only a source of economic security, but a place where people minister and support one another in deep need. In doing so, something beautiful emerges in these acts of love.

Thank you for supporting Therese and her Savings Group community. It has made all the difference.

With gratitude,